Clipper/Galleon at Shipyard Golf Club

A very enjoyable round that you should try when in Hilton Head.

Greens were still recovering from being aerated. A lot go tee boxes in need of divot repair. Several bare spots on course. All adds up to over priced for playing.

Over the years, Shipyard Golf Club has hosted several premier events and is the former home of the Hilton Head Senior International (1982 to 1984). At the time Shipyard was recognized as one of the finest layouts on the CHAMPIONS TOUR. Shipyard has 27 holes, creating three distinctly different 18-hole layouts. Each course offers four sets of tees and can be played by any level of player. Not too long ago, all 27 greens were resurfaced with Diamond Zosia, a grass that stands up well to the Carolina weather. Several holes offer excellent risk/reward opportunities, but you’ll need accuracy off the tee and a good command of your short game to score well here.

The Clipper and Galleon course at Shipyard Golf Club were the first two courses and opened in 1970; nines the Brigantine Course followed in 1982. The George W. Cobb-designed Clipper Course may be the most difficult of the three nines. Most holes have A combination of long fairways lined with towering oak trees and perilous hazards such as sand bunkers and water hazards to keep you on your toes. All three nines require a good long game and soft touch around the greens.

Three holes stand out in my mind at the Shipyard. The 2nd hole on the Galleon Course is a short, 440-yard par 5 that doglegs to the left. To reach the green in two, you’ll need to pound your tee shot over the fairway bunker on the left side at the corner of the dogleg. As you turn the corner, you’ll find water all down the left side. Your 2nd shot plays uphill and is at least an extra club if not two. The elevated green sits behind a pond and is guarded by bunkers on either side.

The Clipper Course is the longest and provides the toughest test. Number 6 on the Clipper course is a challenging par 4 that plays 400 yards from the White Tees. It’s a dogleg right with a fairway bunker at the corner. Playing your tee shot slightly left of center will provide the best angle into the green which slopes back left to front right. The bunkers on either side of the green add to the challenge.

Brigantine is the shortest to the three nines, playing 2,885 from the White tees. The second hole on the Brigantine Course is the layout’s #1 handicapped hole and is the mirror image of the 2nd hole on the Galleon nine. It plays 359 yards from the White Tees and with water all down the right side and in front of the green, you’ll need both accuracy and length off the tee. Playing your drive out to the left may force a longer approach shot, but it’s beer than putting it in the water. Your approach shot will be over water into a very large green. depending on pin placement and prevailing winds it can be a two or three-club difference. Bunkers in front of the green and behind only add to the difficulty of this challenging golf hole.

Shipyard has excellent practice facilities including a full-length driving range, short game area, and practice green. The staff of PGA Professionals at any of these courses can help you get the most out of your game. They offer private lessons, group lessons, camps, and clinics for golfers of all skill levels. There’s no excuse not to play your best when you step up to the first tee.

Heritage Golf Group has partnered with two local resorts: The Westin Resort & Spa and The Sonesta Resort. To get to the Sonesta Resort, you drive right by the Shipyard’s clubhouse, making it easy to get in an extra nine holes in the evening.

The Sonesta Resort is a AAA Four Diamond family-friendly beach resort that recently underwent a $30 million renovation. The renovation included a spectacular new swimming pool complex with a shaded lap pool and Jacuzzi, a zero-entry heated lagoon swimming pool, and a children’s area. The 340 spacious guest rooms and suites offer views of the Shipyard Plantation grounds, lush tropical gardens, swimming pools, and the Atlantic Ocean. The resort offers indoor and al fresco dining at Bayley’s Lobby Bar & Terrace, Seacrest Restaurant and Terrace, and Sweet Cane restaurants.

At the Westin Resort & Spa, coastal splendor meets southern hospitality. The resort sits nestled amid natural dunes and Hilton Head Island’s pristine white sands, The Westin Resort & Spa offers its guests oceanfront resort views from most guest rooms, the Heavenly Spa by Westin, and three outdoor pools. All of Westin’s bright, open rooms include WiFi, a flat-screen cable TV, a small refrigerator, and coffee-making facilities. There’s family-friendly dining in the Carolina Room, poolside dining at Splash, with additional dining at View 32 and Ingredients.

Any or all of these courses can be packaged together through The Heritage Golf Collection with a single phone call

Enjoyed the course, greens had not fully healed from

aeration, but that can be expected this time of year.

First course played in Hilton Head. Lots of water, good layout.

All was quite delightful. Loved the wildlife we encountered: gators, deer, raccoon, turtles, cranes and a snake. The only thing I would recommend is more frequent visits by the beverage cart.

The Shipyard Golf Course has a very solid layout. Everything was in fine shape except for the greens, which had just been aerated and the traps which need work. Cart paths could be better, but did not interfere with enjoyment of the course. Lots of interesting holes; plenty of water and traps, but not too much. The pro shop had lots of merch and there is a very good snack bar. I played from the forward Mens tees and was able to score surprisingly well - though the rating is much lower from those tees than from the next one up the ladder. The greens were pretty unplayable, but the course was entirely up front about that. Next time I’m at Hilton Head when the course is in its normal playing condition, I’d be happy to return. It was a beautiful day for playing golf. We saw at least four gators in the first nine holes. Lots of turtles and birds. Beautiful low country vistas.

We were happy to play this course especially on a rainy day. Overall, we were quite impressed by the condition of the golf course and the speed of the greens.. The only thing that could’ve been improved is the smiles on the faces of the pro shop and the starter. I always say that you get more with honey than you do with vinegar, so I Offer that up with respect and again, we would play Shipyard again